Hospitals Earn 2015 Leapfrog Top Hospital Award

For the first time, The Leapfrog Group has named two Orlando Health hospitals to its annual list of Top Hospitals: Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and South Seminole Hospital. This coveted and respected recognition showcases Arnold Palmer Hospital’s and South Seminole Hospital’s commitment to Leapfrog’s vision of providing the safest, highest quality health care for patients.



“We’re honored that The Leapfrog Group has chosen Arnold Palmer Hospital and South Seminole Hospital for the Top Hospitals list,” says Dr. Thomas Kelley, chief of quality and clinical transformation for Orlando Health. “Safety and quality continue to be top priorities for us. This achievement reflects the vigorous commitment our physicians, nurses, and team members make to ensure our patients and families continue to receive the best care.”



Arnold Palmer Hospital is the only children’s hospital in Florida to be included in the Top Hospital’s list. Along with South Seminole Hospital, both were two of 98 Top Hospitals recognized and selected from hospitals participating in The Leapfrog Group’s annual survey. The list includes:

• 24 Top Rural Hospitals
• 62 Top Urban Hospitals
• 12 Top Children’s Hospitals

The selection is based on the results of The Leapfrog Group’s annual hospital survey, which measures hospitals’ performance on patient safety and quality, focusing on three critical areas of hospital care: how patients fare, resource use and management structures established to prevent errors. Performance across many areas of hospital care is considered in establishing the qualifications for the award, including survival rates for high-risk procedures and a hospital’s ability to prevent medication errors.



“Leapfrog’s Top Hospital award is widely acknowledged as one of the most prestigious distinctions any hospital can achieve in the United States,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group. “Top Hospitals have lower infection rates, better outcomes, decreased length of stay and fewer readmissions. By achieving Top Hospital status, Arnold Palmer Hospital and South Seminole Hospital have proven they prioritize the safety of their patients, are committed to transparency and provide exemplary care for families and patients in Central Florida. I congratulate the board, staff, and clinicians of Arnold Palmer Hospital and South Seminole Hospital whose efforts achieved these results.”



The Top Hospital award is given to urban, rural and children's hospitals that publicly report their performance through the annual Leapfrog Hospital Survey and meet the high standards defined in each year's Top Hospitals Methodology.



To see the full list of institutions honored as a 2015 Top Hospital, please visit www.leapfroggroup.org/tophospitals.